It would be interesting to learn Shipspotting forum Users' opinions on possible and feasible options for Costa Concordia technical and operational future...
There are specialists on the market (like Titan, Smit, Mammoet, etc.) that have done almost impossible things so far. So ALMOST nothing is impossible from technical point of view, but there is always a question of (cost) feasibility...
There were many spectacular ship "rising from the dead" cases, but this one (as far as salvaging for intended repair and operation is concerned) seems to be more complicated than any other in the history...
Now I learn from the news that divers will use explosives to cut through some bulkheads, to get to further compartments in search for bodies or trapped survivors.
Bulkheads damage will make it even more difficult to seal off compartments for pumping off the water facilitating raising the ship...
In the history many ships were brought back to life, even after capsizing, sinking, etc.
But "big operations" like this (for example this concerning one of the Might Servants) were related to ships that sunk without turning to side...
And mostly concerned cargo ships, where compartmentisation and internal division facilitated using the hull itself to take part in righting of the vessel to some extend...
Cruise ship is basically fully watertight (from the stability and buoyancy point of view) from keel to main deck (which is usually gangway deck - thus relatively low comparing to the whole structure).
You can see the difference between the (water) draft and airdraft of the vessel.
For the sake of stability - everything above the watertight hull must be much lighter (thus much more delicate) - how to attach possible salvage ropes at higher part of the superstructure to use a lever advantage for raising such a large and heavy structure from its side... (is it possible from ship structure strength point of view at all ?)
I think in all cases of LARGE ships with HIGH superstructures (like that car carrier that capsised near the shores of Japan - if I remember well) these ships have not been salvaged for repairs and operation...
What do you think about the chances for Costa Concordia ?...